News (Tue): Kings team for Romania

Alan Solomons was upbeat with the start that the SA Kings have had in Romania. “Our first game against Georgia (who were ranked 14th in the world and came close to beating Ireland in the 2007 IRB Webb Ellis World Cup and with the majority of their players plying their trade in France) was tough. They have a powerful pack of forwards and presented a huge physical challenge. We were able to rise to the occasion and walked away with a resounding 31-17 victory”

With Georgia now firmly behind them the SA Kings are focusing on the upcoming match against hosts Romania; a match which Alan Solomons expects to be another tough, physical encounter. He added “Romania is similar to Georgia in that they have a big, physical pack of forwards and they will be looking to take us on up front”. With Romania at full strength (having their first-choice players back from domestic rugby duties in France) the SA Kings know that they will need to replicate another performance similar to that of Georgia to walk away with the spoils in this encounter.

Alan Solomons added that many of the SA Kings’ players were getting an incredible experience partaking in the IRB Nations’ Cup. He further added “they (players) are all getting a taste of playing abroad and in an international environment”.

For those who wish to know what the SA Kings’ approach will take heed of the Head Coach’s words of encouragement and comfort: “Like all teams participating in the competition we came here aiming to win”.

The next SA Kings’ match is on Wednesday 15 June vs Romania at the National Arcul de Triumf Stadium, Bucharest , Romania. Live broadcast on Supersport 6 from 6pm.

SA Under-20 utility back Craig Barry was on Tuesday ruled out of the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship due to injury and will be replaced by MTN Lions fullback Jaco Taute, who will join the Baby Boks in Treviso on Wednesday.

Barry sustained a right groin muscle injury on Monday during training. The Baby Boks face Ireland in Treviso later today (20h10) and play England in their final Pool C match in Padova on Saturday. The South Africans kicked off their 2011 campaign with a 33-0 victory over Scotland on Friday.

“It’s disappointing to lose a player at a tournament where there is a four-day turn-round, and our sympathy goes out to Craig who still has a bright future in rugby,” said SA Under-20 coach Dawie Theron.

“Craig is one of a few players that have been part of our setup this season that will have another opportunity to represent the Baby Boks at next year’s IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa. He has also been part of the Springbok Sevens structures for the past few months, and I am confident that he will easily slot back into their systems as soon as he has recovered from this injury.

“The injury to Craig affords someone else an opportunity at this level. Jaco represented the Baby Boks during last year’s IRB Junior World Championship, and has the necessary experience. He was not considered for selection to the SA U20 squad as we maintained a selection criterion that players had to attend local training camps to be considered for selection.

“Jaco did not attend any training camps due to Vodacom Super Rugby commitments for the MTN Lions. But their Vodacom Super Rugby campaign has concluded and he is now available. He has been in excellent form this year at Vodacom Super Rugby level, and his selection is a logical rugby choice as he still qualifies to represent the SA Under-20s this year.”

Rhodes’ suspension cut by 1 week

Lions flanker Michael Rhodes’ suspension has been reduced by one week.

A SANZAR Appeal Committee, chaired by Nigel Hampton QC of New Zealand, with Terry Willis (Australia) and Jannie Lubbe SC (South Africa) as members, heard via tele-conference an appeal by Rhodes against a six-week suspension imposed on 31 May for a dangerous roll-out in the Lions Super Rugby match against the Highlanders in Dunedin on 28 July.

Rhodes’ legal counsel submitted that the sanction imposed should be reduced from an effective six matches to four matches.

The Appeal Committee determined that in all circumstances the suspension should be reduced to five matches and, having regard for the player’s match schedule, decided that he be suspended from all rugby up to and including 24 July 2011.

Rhodes was originally suspended until 31 July after SANZAR Judicial Officer, Nick Davidson QC, ruled that in order for his suspension to be effective it should encompass six matches.

Dollie back in WP fold

Forgotten child, Ismaeel Dollie, is back and has been selected by WP coach, Paul Dobson, for WP’s compulsory friendly against Boland on Wednesday 15 June in Wellington.

Dollie who rose to prominence for the Southern Spears years back and fell out of favour with coaches in South Africa, completed an unsuccessful stint in Australia and Japan before returning back to South Africa to play club rugby.

The side also include a couple of players who have been used in this year’s Super Rugby competition already.

Trafalgar Park in Nelson has been confirmed as the venue if the Crusaders qualify for a home Qualifier match or Semi-Final in this season’s Investec Super Rugby competition.

The Crusaders are currently third on the Investec Super Rugby table going into Saturday night’s final regular season match against the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

If the Crusaders finish second on the table they will host a Semi-Final on Friday, July 1 or Saturday July 2. If they finish third or fourth they will host a Qualifying match a week earlier on Friday, June 24 or Saturday, June 25.

Depending on results, at best the Crusaders can finish second on the table, and at worst sixth.

Crusaders Chief Executive Officer Hamish Riach said: “While we considered some very strong offers to host any potential qualifier or semi-final match outside our region, we decided that following such support from the Nelson area that we will play at Trafalgar Park if the opportunity arises.

“We want to stay as close to friends, family and regional fans as possible and playing at Trafalgar Park is a good fit for us. We are also hopeful that fans from Christchurch will want to support the team by travelling within the South Island, and enjoy the match, hospitality and other attractions of the northern part of the Crusaders region.”

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said: “We have received outstanding support from the Nelson region leading up to and during our three games at Trafalgar Park this season and we hope we’re in a position to head back there.”

The capacity for Trafalgar Park has been increased to about 18,000 due to its readiness for the Rugby World Cup.

In the event that the Crusaders are in a position to host a final, Eden Park in Auckland is the preference. Mr Riach added: “There are many things still to work through before we get to that stage, obviously, but the moment Eden Park is our preference.”

Loftus sold out

All available tickets for the Super Rugby match between the Vodacom Bulls and Sharks, to be played at 17h05 on Saturday June 18th, has been sold.

The Blue Bulls Company would like to thank all their patrons for their fantastic support of the Vodacom Bulls.

“We are expecting a full house on Saturday and is very pleased with the support showed towards the Vodacom Bulls and their final push for the play-off stages of the competition,” BBC chief executive officer Barend van Graan said.